ADD_THIS

Monday, June 18, 2012

Working at Home is Not Working?

Monday Musings on This 'N That

When I grew up in the South, every Monday was wash day. If it took the entire day, all the dirty clothes had to be washed on Monday. Oh, and those without a clothes dryer had to carry those heavy, wet clothes outside to the clothesline and pin them up to dry. And, of course, later in the day those clothes on the line had to be brought inside. So, yes, it was an all-day affair every Monday.

Friday was grocery-shopping day. Thinking back, I suppose getting groceries on Friday coincided with people receiving weekly paychecks. So as soon as the checks were cashed, off the lady of the house went to get groceries.

I'm sure a day was set aside for ironing the clean clothes. Mother taught me how to iron by beginning with handkerchiefs and then promoted me to pillow cases. Now, not many people, men or women, carry handkerchiefs but use paper tissues (I won't mention a brand name because I'm afraid the trademark police will knock on my door).

That leaves two other week days, which I'm certain were spent on the house, waxing the hardwood floors, cleaning windows, changing bed linens, dusting furniture (I hate to do this!), and other such chores. I remember once we moved to a house, which did not have a dishwasher. When Mother asked Daddy to get her a dishwasher, he replied that she had one, pointing to me. That disappointed both Mother and me.

Saturday was when Daddy caught up on his outside chores. Sunday was our Sabbath and unless the biblical ox was in the ditch no one did work on Sunday. Of course Mother cooked our midday meal before we went to church. The rest of the day was family time or time with visitors ("company" we called them) who might drop by.

Most of this week-day stuff happened while I was in school. Once school vacation time came, I learned quickly what had been going on and was swiftly drafted into helping Mother. Where ever you grew up, was your family's routine similar to this? How do you look upon work now?

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord,

not for men." --Colossians 3:23, NIV

The winner of last Thursday's blog post for a copy of Lady in the Mist by Laurie Alice Eakes is harness.... I'll email you to get your mailing address and get the book out to you. Thanks all for commenting. Watch for more book giveaways.

We did have certain days set for washing cloths. We had 5 kids. My mom did have plenty of help. I remember when my mom finally got a dishwasher - that was heaven. The week days were school and studies. Saturday, we couldn't do anything until all chores were done. Saturday afternoons were mine. Sunday was church and family gatherings.